Employee mental health has been in the spotlight since the COVID-19 pandemic. Many companies have normalized the idea of mental health support but have not yet made it a core benefit. Trend watchers see changes ahead as employers take a deeper look at the impact of mental health on physical health and productivity.
An analysis from the National Safety Council and NORC at the University of Chicago put a value on employee mental health care. Their calculator found that companies see a 4:1 return on investment — every $1 invested returns $4 in value.1
That value comes from lower medical and disability costs, as well as increased productivity and lower absenteeism. Safety is another important consideration, as there is additional value in mitigating the risk of accident or injury.
Some employers are providing quiet zones, cry rooms, stress-free Fridays, and enhanced Employee Assistance Program (EAP) benefits. Others are investing in mental wellness programs as part of their overall health care insurance offering.
Highmark launched Mental Well-Being — powered by Spring Health — for our 2.3 million eligible members in January 2024. Members benefit from personalized treatment plans based on results from our evidence-based assessment tool. Mental Well-Being services range from daily wellness coaching to clinical care and medication management to 24/7 crisis intervention.
Members can choose from an expanded network with 40% more providers than before. They can pick a provider by condition, specialty, gender, ethnicity, language, location, and/or experience with the LGBTQ+ community and get a behavioral health appointment within five days. This rapid access to care stands in contrast to average wait times in the U.S. — 67 days for in-person appointments and 43 days for virtual visits.2
The majority of members seeking care completed depression (97%) and/or anxiety (92%) questionnaires before their first provider visit. These questionnaires — Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder Assessment (GAD-7) — are industry standards for behavioral health.
Using these questionnaires as a benchmark, we saw that members’ mental health quickly got better. With the Mental Well-Being solution:
The national average for remission from depression ranges from 90 to 180 days, depending on the individual and the severity of their condition.3 Different treatment approaches also impact the time frame for full remission.
In addition to depression and anxiety, Mental Well-Being helps members with the following diagnoses:
Mental Well-Being’s evidence-based screening process also helps providers identify members that are in crisis. Immediate intervention can save the life of an individual at risk of suicide or self-harm.
“This program is tangibly improving members’ mental health,” says Tony Farah, MD, EVP, chief medical and clinical transformation officer at Highmark Health. “It is delivering the right care at the right time and helping members when they need it most.”
It can take a person years to seek help after first experiencing behavioral health symptoms. The majority (80%) of members engaging with Mental Well-Being services had not received treatment in 18 months or more.
Having a private, personalized, digital solution makes it easier to get over the stigma of getting mental health care. Seventy-seven percent of members under Mental Well-Being care say that the program is easy to use.
“We’re thrilled to see the initial clinical outcomes from Mental Well-Being,” says Mill Brown, MD, Chief Medical Officer at Spring Health. Members receive “faster access, better outcomes, and safety screening” on their mental health journey.
Highmark is adding an EAP + Mental Well-Being option for employers seeking an integrated solution for continuity and consistency. This addition will support life, work, and family needs across the platform. EAP features will include work-life balance tools, sponsored therapy sessions, and leadership resources.
Other Mental Well-Being enhancements for 2025 include expanded substance use disorder (SUD) services. This feature will provide more intensive support for members with greater needs. Contact your Highmark client manager about mental health care benefit options for your team.
Virtual Mental Health Care Improves Access to Employee Benefits
Helping Employees With Substance Use Disorders
All references to “Highmark” in this communication are references to Highmark Inc., an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, and/or to one or more of its affiliated Blue companies.
Spring Health is an independent company that provides mental health care services through its agents. Spring Health does not provide Blue Cross and/or Blue Shield products or services. Spring Health is solely responsible for their mental health care services.
Talk to your client manager today and we’ll help you find the right health plan for your company.
